Mild Hearing Loss Explained

Mild hearing loss is one of the less problematic hearing impairments. Mild hearing loss is one of the more easy-going losses and causes less detrimental concerns than other types of impairments.

What is Mild Hearing Loss?

As a type of hearing loss, it can still impact lifestyles on a daily basis. A defining characteristic of hearing impairments revolves around the ability to hear certain levels of decibels. Mild hearing loss can be defined as a loss of 20-39 dB. Greater losses will be classed on various levels from mild to deaf. Mild hearing loss can fall under the condition of sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss, and can impact both one or both ears.

Hearing loss is broken down into four main categories according to the degree or severity of the loss. It is measured on a scale of decibels of hearing loss against a ‘normal’ hearing person. The number of decibels required above the normal level to hear will define the severity of the loss according to the categories below (these reflect the dB loss for the majority of frequencies):

Mild Hearing Loss is defined as a loss of 20-39 dB

Moderate Hearing Loss is defined as a loss of 40-69 dB

Severe Hearing Loss is defined as a loss of 70-90 dB

Profound Hearing Loss is defined as a loss of greater than 90 dB

How to Test for Mild Hearing Loss

To establish the degree of hearing loss a hearing test is carried out to establish how loud a sound needs to be played for the person to hear it. The test plays sounds at different frequencies – high pitch, low pitch etc. to establish the degree of hearing loss at different frequencies.

Our online hearing test is free, only takes a few minutes, and your results are instant. Results will then indicate if you should take further action to prevent hearing loss.

Mild Hearing Loss Symptoms

In some cases, people can be born with the condition or inherit it later in life.

This kind of hearing impairment may result in perceiving speech as soft or muffled, which will have a detrimental effect when trying to hear in noisy environments. Soft consonants are particularly difficult to hear, which is a frustration as the sound may be heard but remain unintelligible for the listener. This can drastically affect the ability to follow conversations.

Mild Hearing Loss Causes

Depending on the type of hearing loss, there are a number of potential causes:

An online hearing test, however, will not be able to identify the root cause. If you believe you may be suffering from mild hearing loss, it is advisable to see an audiologist who will be able to determine the cause and what to do next.

How to Manage Mild Hearing Loss

There is currently no medical cure for many types of hearing loss.

Those with mild hearing loss have a choice of continuing to suffer an ever more isolating hearing loss or investigate the use of amplification. For example, via the use of hearing aids. Digital hearing aids can improve the quality of life for the suffer providing the gift or improved sound and clarity.